Tuesday, June 30, 2009

As part of my June project of getting organized and thinking through new schedules and ideas for this fall as we start homeschooling, I decided to do a little shifting with how I plan our meals. For several years now, I have planned for a full month a time - making one big shopping run per month, and then supplementing with fresh produce and milk as needed throughout the month.

As we switch gears to add kindergarten into our daily routine, there are some things (food-related) that I want to be able to do with the girls that would be tricky to plan out a month in advance. We are going to be meandering through early American History this year and with that, I want to have some special treats and meals that go along with what we are studying. That said, I'm going to try and plan two weeks at a time and see how that works for us.

One of the things that I am most excited about reinstituting into our week is our Thursday Tea. The idea is not mine - I got it from Dawn's excellent blog. But, I loved how the girls looked forward to getting out the special cups having a "special" snack one day a week. Last year, we used the time to start our Awana lesson for the week. I'm not sure how well that will work this year as the girls will be in two different groups now (N1 has aged out of Cubbies), but regardless, I'm looking forward to using this time to do either a seasonal craft project or listen to a story that ties with our lessons.

That said, here's the next two weeks of meals around here ... always subject to change. :) I really struggle in the summer coming up with stuff to make for dinner. After we've spent the day outside, I always want something cold to eat (i.e., pasta salads, big green ceasar/taco/southwest salads, etc.) but that doesn't always work so well with the munchkins. What do you feed your family in the summer when it is too hot to cook? I love my crockpot and know that's a great idea for summer cooking so I'm not overheating in front of the stove, but I just don't like to eat hot food when I'm hot. :)

Tuesday (6/30): chicken spaghetti (from the freezer), salad, bread I'm trying to make a double batch of chicken spaghetti once a month - for us, that makes two 8x8 pans/meals for our family, and one 9x13 to use for a company dinner or to share with a family that needs a meal.

Monday, June 29, 2009

One week of VBS :: translation :: girls that were out later at night yet still managed to get up earlier in the morning.

One week of dance camp for N2 :: translation :: what was a one hour dance camp turned in to 3+ hours out of the house every. single. morning.

My husband is offered the chance to serve our church as the worship leader :: translation :: we've decided to postpone our family vacation so that he won't miss two weekends of church right after taking on this role. I'm not disappointed that I will miss the long car ride going and coming with three little ones; I will miss the beach and family that we won't see.

New information regarding the school we anticipated sending N1 to two-days per week this fall :: translation :: I'm now dreaming of social studies and science lessons since it looks like I'll be doing all her kindergarten homeschooling.

I'm not going to say anything about what July looks like ... we'll just take it one day at a time. :)

Monday, June 01, 2009

Travel, change, interest, excitement! The whole world before youand a horizon that is always changing! Hurrah for the open road!

~ Mr. Toad, The Wind in the Willows

I'm unplugging for the month of June. You can catch me via email if needed (and I *may* Tweet if there is anything really good) but I won't be reading (blogs) or writing much until after our family vacation 'round about Independance Day. :)

I hope everyone has a lovely start to their summer! See you in about 5 weeks. :)

Stephanie Shepherd

Living in Tennessee and wife to one outstanding man and mama to 4 amazing munchkins. Striving to follow God in the unseen daily simple tasks in a world that wants everything to be big and in the spotlight.